DoD Military Fire Officer of the Year

DoD Military Fire Officer of the Year Award Description: This annual award recognizes an individual military fire officer for superior job performance and outstanding contributions to the fire service, with specific focus for on-duty related contributions to Fire and Emergency Services programs. Eligibility: Military Fire Officer serving in one of the following duty positions: Station Captain, Assistant Chief of Operations, Assistant Chief of Training, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention, Assistant Chief of Operations and Readiness, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Chief, and Component, staff (Component, Major Command or Region) Fire Protection Specialists. Military Fire Officers with different duty position titles, but equivalent duty responsibilities (including shipboard and aircraft rescue fire officers), are also eligible. Calendar year 2005 Military Fire Officer of the Year award winners from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (Note: DLA does not have any military fire officers). The component annual award winners are the only individuals eligible to compete for this DoD level award. Criteria: Component (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) selection as Military Fire Officer of the Year for 2005. Component prepared nomination document describing significant achievements and contributions using the following headings: - Accomplishments - Job Performance - Technical competence - Leadership ability - Initiative - Resourcefulness Army Navy Air Force Marine Corps 2005 DoD Military Fire Officer of the Year Nominees Staff Sergeant Chylciale Washington, Fort Hood, Texas DCCS (SW) David W. Garver, Fire Chief Naval Support Facility, Thurmont, Maryland Master Sergeant Scott C. Knupp, Ramstein Air Base, Germany Staff Sergeant Kenneth G. Aldredge, Training Chief, MCAS Pendleton, California

Army

US Army Military Fire Officer of the Year for 2005 Staff Sergeant Chylciale Washington Fort Hood, Texas Accomplishments: Active Duty Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for two of the Army s newest Engineer Firefighting Detachments, the 507 th and the 557 th Engineer Detachments on Fort Hood. Served as Training NCOIC for the 664th Ordinance Company, Fort Hood, Texas, responsible for direction and oversight of various local programs: -- Physical Fitness, Weight Control, Remedial Physical Fitness, DOD Certifications, Warrant Officer/Officer Candidate School processing, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course. Awarded two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, Overseas Service Ribbon, completed Primary Leadership Development Course and the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course. Department of Defense Certified in Fire Officer I and II, Inspector I and II, Instructor I, Driver Operator Pumper, Aerial, and ARFF (Airport Rescue Firefighting). Fort Hood Military Fire Officer of the Year 2005; received third Army Achievement Medal. Individual Quality of Excellence Award 2005. Job Performance: As NCOIC for the 507 th and 557 th Engineer Firefighting Detachments on Fort Hood, commands a platoon of 10 active duty firefighters (21M) of which two were selected as Fort Hood s Firefighters of the Quarter in 2005. Fire Captain at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks Alaska, Fire Department and Ambulance Service providing mutual aid to the city of Fairbanks and Fort Wainwright. Technical Competence: Coordinates with the Department of Defense Fire Academy to mobilize firefighters from various installations to Fort Hood to strengthen the command. Trained and assured all active duty firefighters were trained on the Army s newest Tactical Firefighting Truck (TFFT) for use in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Leadership Ability: Currently serving in the role as 1 st Sergeant and Company Commander in the establishment of the newest military units in the Department of Defense, the 507 th and the 557 th Engineer Firefighting Detachments. Hand picked from among contemporaries to attend the Department of the Army Drill Sergeant School. Initiative: Created Civilian Clothes Day as a fundraiser for those that were evacuated by Hurricane Katrina. All proceeds were donated to the American Red Cross. Received Individual Quality of Excellence Award. Integrated active duty military firefighters with civilian firefighters that aided in strengthening the firefighting command on Fort Hood. Resourcefulness: Over the past year, has been instrumental in assuring that each firefighter is trained and prepared to deploy to Operation Iraqi Freedom with the newest tactical firefighting equipment.

Navy

U.S. Navy Military Fire Officer of the Year 2005 DCCS (SW) David W. Garver, Fire Chief Naval Support Facility, Thurmont, Maryland ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Accomplished mentor, leader, and proven warrior - Hand selected as the best of the best under the most stringent criteria to be Fire Chief at the President Of The United States (POTUS) official retreat, Naval Support Facility (NSF) Thurmont, MD; true patriot, proud to serve - DCCS Garver s devotion to duty as NSF Thurmont Fire Chief resulted in a dramatic transformation; increased fire program visibility through personal intervention and detailed curriculum to enforce/track fire protection standards - Identified deficiencies with dated SCBA equipment. Implemented upgrade, certification and annual flow test plans and processes for all gear, including the addition of CBRN protection; this effort improved the safety and fire fighting capabilities of our firefighters and increased readiness and emergency response capability of the command - Initiated a robust preventive maintenance program for all fire and emergency service vehicles bringing all vehicles up to current standards and ensuring maintenance was performed on schedule; mandated initial inspections to identify and execute required repairs and established rigorous schedule for recurring maintenance and testing - Commenced more comprehensive and aggressive facility inspection program to assess condition of existing buildings and ensured personnel practice fire prevention procedures to reduce risk of fire and improve life safety - Hired two certified fire inspectors and ensured facilities were assessed; findings and abatement are being managed - Tested and certified all ladders, identifying deficiencies and making repairs to keep them fully operational JOB PERFORMANCE: Epitome of customer service with primary goal always mission accomplishment - Spearheaded the training and day-to-day operations of the command fire brigade, consisting of Navy professional firefighters and all non-fire fighting rate Sailors; aggressive training program yielded quantum leap in capability - Qualified adequate number of personnel to protect 130 facilities valued at $50M; many buildings are invaluable and historical wooden structures of NSF Thurmont with significant historical value to the American people - Evaluated responses during training exercises and implemented upgrades to training, techniques, and procedures - Expertise and persistence paid dividends! Zero fire related injuries or property damage occurred during his tenure TECHNICAL COMPETENCE: Always increases his value to subordinates, peers, commanders, and Navy - Incredible year of training and certification; completed certs for Driver Operator, Fire Fighter II, Fire Officer I, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Operations, and Incident Commander, and Machinery Vehicle Rescue (Feb 2005), Fire Officer II (Apr 2005), Instructor I (Jun 2005), and Technical Rope Rescue (Nov 2005) - Identified significant equipment shortages on all firefighting apparatus based on experience with other fire departments in the military and as a civilian volunteer firefighter; planned the budget required to upgrade the equipment and commenced purchases to bring the equipment up to highest standards required for POTUS support - Increased the life safety and extrication equipment inventory to significantly enhance our rescue capabilities LEADERSHIP ABILITY: Follow-me style leadership with an unbridled passion and enthusiasm to succeed - Led the command fire brigade in ensuring the fire safety and well-being of the President, First Family and guests - Commanded the crash crew for all POTUS flight operations; ensured the highest state of readiness and expertise - Qualified as Command Duty Officer in March 2005; represented commander and made decisions on his behalf - Developed the plan to transition from the existing, mostly collateral-duty fire brigade concept to a full-time professional fire department with aviation and damage control rated personnel, including all required training, qualifications, and duty schedule rotations; successfully implemented initial phase of transition plan on schedule. INITIATIVE: Never waits for things to happen, makes great things happen with superior results - Lives to be a firefighter and emergency response professional to help others through the most difficult situations - Coordinated Pump Operator course with Maryland Fire Rescue Institute to certify 12 driver operators; doubled amount of qualified operators who previously learned pump ops via internal training from non-certified personnel - EMS Lt for Alpha Volunteer Fire Company in Littlestown, PA; responded to 58 critical EMS calls and 61fire, rescue, and HazMat calls; member of the Company since 2000, made a positive difference in the local community - Established outstanding working relationship with the Naval District Washington (NDW) Fire Chief to establish procedures supporting the command s emergency response vehicle maintenance program; yielded positive results - Identified the need to upgrade and refurbish the Aircraft Rescue Fire-Fighting (ARFF) vehicle and one of the fire pumpers; worked with NDW to replace the ARFF with a newer refurbished unit and secured a replacement pumper RESOURCEFULNESS: Took the tough, additional jobs and made them look easy - Coordinated with local, state and DoD organizations to conduct two live-burn training sessions, Fire Fighter I courses and other training opportunities at reduced cost to the government; training significantly enhanced skills - Established a Standard Operating Procedure and trained on new medical evacuation (medevac) aircraft procedures with the command fire department and medical staff; set up on-site training with air assets to increase understanding and teamwork between the two units to prepare for medevac emergency requirements - Identified enroute training requirements for inbound personnel being reassigned to NSF Thurmont, which allowed members to receive Fire Fighter II, ARFF, and Hazardous Materials training prior to reporting for duty there Protecting Those Who Defend America

Air Force

Air Force Nominee for the DoD Military Fire Officer of the Year Award Master Sergeant Scott C. Knupp, Ramstein Air Base, Germany ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Ranked #1/62 as HQ USAFE/A7 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year - USAFE Fire and Emergency Supt--provided oversight for over 24 USAF and NATO emergency service flights -- Articulated Command position for funding/manning/equipping 1,690 firefighters--lauded by O-7 and HQ staff - Managed crash rescue programs responsible for protecting USAFE's $4.5B physical plant assets at 6 major bases - Vehicle officer for USAF s second largest fire fleet; managed 195 crash and 57 command vehicles valued at $71M -- Articulated fire chiefs needs; developed master plan & fought to modernize/replace aging fleet--garnered $2.1M - Command HazMat Compliance Co-chair; developed strict standards and protocols--zero release of contamination - Sourced 8 AOR taskings within USAFE; 96 firefighters deployed--contingency support 100% filled and on time - Articulated DoD and USAF standards during base inspections--hands-on leadership fostered corrective actions - Authored/implemented mgt plan to realign 44 manpower authorizations; maximized UTC MISCAP capabilities - A7 Physical Training Leader; lead weekly sessions and conducted assessment testing--increased pass rate by 14% JOB PERFORMANCE: #1/650 firefighters as USAFE nominee for GEICO Military Service Award - The only MSgt in the Command responsible for protecting the largest number of military personnel outside USA - Mitigated fire agent shortfall impacting USAFE largest base maintenance contract--special weapons in ready state - Coordinated NASA/USAFE Space Shuttle launch support--deployed personnel/assets--ensured on time launch - Developed vision to re-classify Incirlik s first strike agent requirements--saved $600K a year in contract fees - Surveyed USAFE's largest rescue programs; provided oversight for training resulting in 30% readiness increase - Partnered with CENTAF/AEF Center--streamlined deployment plans; obtained 100% buy-in from Fire Chiefs - Authored integration plan reassigning NAS Keflavik to AF control; seamless transition--a7c "best seen in 2½ yrs" - Hosted two national certification traveling courses for USAFE; increased mission readiness--40 now DoD certified - Active member of Base Top III and VFW--consistently encouraged/brought fellow SNCOs to monthly meetings - Corrected long term manning shortfall at GSUs; response capabilities in line with DoDI standards--first time ever TECHNICAL COMPETENCE: Total package; completed fire chief certification courses--exceeds trng standards - Completed 9 semester hours--awarded Bachelors Degree in Occupational Safety and Health/Fire Science - Top student! Graduated in top 10% of class for Fire Inspector III and Fire Officer IV--now fire chief certified - Completed 48-hour Space Shuttle Rescue Course; training directly impacts NASA s ability to launch shuttle crews - Completed 32-hour FEMA s National Response Plan--key to USAFE s adoption of an Incident Command System - Full Spectrum Threat Response expert; provided insight and articulated fire standard for 3K FSTR first responders - Mentored 600 junior fire fighters during monthly base visits throughout command; better career option educated LEADERSHIP ABILITY: Already showing executive-level leadership potential; exceeds peer group in ability - Filled in 6+ months as USAFE s Command Fire Chief--exceeded standards in executive fire officer position - Managed USAFE Fire and Emergency Services training program responsible for 120 AETC courses for 24 flights - Designated driver during MSgt/TSgt promotion party attended by 350 base personnel; zero DUIs for all attendees! - First Sgt Academy grad--filled in 274 hrs for CMSgt incumbent as additional duty; leadership for 1.2K troops - Volunteered in support of Ramstein Welfare Bazaar--funds supported KMC schools, organizations, and families - SNCO Induction Ceremony Committee Member--organized social programs and fund raising/morale events - Provided technical review of USAFE's second largest base maintenance contract--articulated national standard - Created live fire ORM template used to mitigate risk and identify training deficiency--25% increase in training - Coached Little League Baseball team--mentored 9/10 year old youth on basic fundamentals and core values INITIATIVE: Short notice vehicle taskings no longer problem--set up contingency vehicle standby plan w/a4 - Introduced helmet thermal imager camera to bases for trial run--used analysis as justification for USAFE purchase - Mentored junior fire inspectors during facility fire prevention inspections--better prepared technical specialists - Standardized data collection program--engineered computer tracking programs and educated 25 fire officers - Developed strategic plan to categorize airfields across USAFE's AOR--redistributed $2M in vehicle resources - Improved fire C2 and night vision capabilities--postured UTCs at strategic locations valued in excess of $2M - Identified command-wide fire pump vehicle testing deficiency; directed resources--mitigated loss of flying mission - Authored IG checklists; researched 18 AF pubs and 293 codes encompassing 1M line items--standardized USAFE - Mentored Senior Airman outside of unit--spent countless hours educating junior troop on career path choices - Identified deficiency in ARFF turret testing requirement, AF NFPA 403 committee rep requesting interpretation RESOURCEFULNESS: Developed strategic plan for modernizing USAFE ARFF trainers; secured $2M for repair - Developed risk assessment matrix to quantify manpower/availability and associated risk--majcom/ce in tune - Support Equipment Working Group Team Chief; identified deployment equipment shortfalls--justified $1M - Coordinated congressional funds plan to construct Ramstein fire trainer; validated $3.6M project--226 FFs impact - Pointman for USAFE's for Prime Vendor Program; educated fire chiefs on streamlined cost and potential benefits - Identified deficiency in NATO agent requirements; educated host nation on protocols--certified new equipment - Despite 32% reduction in AETC training courses, acquired 16 funded allocations--increased readiness ratings

Marine Corps